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By his mid 30's, Tchaikovsky had reached a
peak of creativity in musical terms.
But emotionally, he was in turmoil. He was thinking
about marriage as the only way to break his
problem. Yet, before that happened, he embarked on
an extraordinary relationship with a woman that was
to last 14 years.

He had begun to correspond with an immensely rich
widow, Nadezhda von Meck, while composing his
variations on a Rococo theme for cello and
orchestra music. It was Tchaikovsky's music with
which the widow fell in love, and she became his
lifelong financial benefactress. They decided never
to meet but, reveal their feelings in their
letters. Their prolific correspondence was therapy
for them both and it totaled some 1100 letters.

Two major works were produced by Tchaikovsky at
that time - the fourth Symphony, which he referred
to as "Our Symphony", and was dedicated to Mme vn
Meck. Additionally, the opera "Eugene Onegin" was
composed during this time. The opera had a profound
effect on his life. He was so wrapped up in the
tragic story of Tatyana, whose love for Onegin is
brutally repulsed, that an unfortunate coincidence
was to occur.

Tchaikovsky received a letter from a young music
student - Antonnia Milyukova - who claimed that she
loved him and would commit suicide if he were to
refuse to meet her. He agreed to meet her and
before he knew what was happening, he had proposed
to her and been accepted. The marriage was a
disaster, and was eventually dissolved. Mme von
Meck was bitter about the marriage and was happy to
lend him money to allow him to get away from
Antonnia to the city of Florence, Italy, where he
could compose in peace. Tchaikovsky loved Italy
very much and composed some of his most well known
music: the 'String Sextet', 'Souvenir de Florence'
and 'Capriccio Italien' for full orchestra.

From that point onwards, he began and lead a
restless existence, travelling constantly between
Russia, the rest of Europe and America. He wrote to
his benefactress Mme von Meck: "Every note that
flows from my pen from now on shall be dedicated to
you". It was during this time that he composed his
finest violin concerto and the highly popular and
regarded '1812 Overture'.

He overcame his fear of conducting and found
himself on the first tour of Western Europe being
hailed everywhere as a celebrity. Back in Russia,
he wrote his next masterpiece, the '5th Symphony'
and his second ballet score 'Sleeping Beauty'.

Tchaikovsky's brother, Modest, was the librettist
of his next opera, 'The Queen of Spades'. The
inspiration was a tale by Pushkin, with fate
playing a major role in the story. But, fate too
was once more to intervene in Tchaikovsky's life,
again in the form of a letter. It was from Mme von
Meck, who wrote that she was broke and could no
longer provide his annuity. Therefore, their
friendship had to end immediately. Tchaikovsky was
amazed and deeply hurt. It appeared that her action
was probably triggered by mental illness. Whatever
the reason, Tchaikovsky's peace of mind was
destroyed and he never recovered. The following
year, he began work without enthusiasm on a ballet
based on Hoffman's tales 'The Nutcracker and the
Mouse King'.

On his way to New York, he received a telegram that
his beloved sister Sasha had died. His depressed
and wretched state was relieved a little by the
success, kindness and consideration shown to him by
the American people.

In 1893, the last year of his life, Tchaikovsky
enjoyed success, popularity and respect to a degree
unusual for any composer. He went to England to
receive his honorary doctorate form Cambridge
University. He was also at the height of his
creative power, composing his '6th Symphony -
Pathetique'. He regarded it as "the best of all",
and on October 28, he conducted its premiere in St.
Petersburg.

A few days later, on November 6, he passed away, at
the age of 53. His death was just as tragic, and
mysterious, as his life. He was buried in the
Alexander Nevsky Monastery in St. Petersburg.

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